Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is also known as Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS). It is a hormone secreted by the small follicles in a woman’s ovaries. AMH has emerged as a new way to measure ovarian reserve that is becoming more commonly tested. Ovarian reserve is a concept that means how many eggs with what quality are still available in the ovary to try to conceive a baby. Basically, it measures “how much gas is left in the tank?”

There are other ways of measuring ovarian reserve- such as age, cycle day 3 FSH levels, basal antral follicle counts and seeing how well the ovaries respond to fertility medications. All of these are useful tests that help your physician evaluate and counsel you and your husband regarding your treatment options. AMH is emerging as a very important tool that has advantages over the other tests such as it can be measured at any point of the menstrual cycle (not just on day #3 of your period like FSH) and does not require a sonogram (like basal antral follicle count).

While no single test is perfect, nor cannot it predict with 100% accuracy what is going on in your body, AMH is emerging as a very useful tool for your reproductive endocrinologist to help guide your choices about fertility treatments and pregnancy rates.